My 'impromptu' review of G20 BMW 330i...so much improved, it's like another car!

So while my 2016 328i GT in the shop for 'variety' of issues, dealership gave me a 2019 BMW 330i loaner while the car is being serviced. It's a brand new car and I decided to do a 'impromptu' review as I just picked up an Audi S3. So, here's what I found:

Pros
-Handling has much improved over F30. It's precise and immediate. Reminds me a lot of E90...even E46
-Steering feel and feedback is vastly improved, though not at E46 level yet (which I also had)
-Plenty of power: 245hp, but merging and passing on highway is not a problem.
-Throttle response is quick, specially under sport mode.
-Interior ergonomics has improved greatly. Get the Virtual Cockpit Pro for bigger nav screen and modern looking digital gage.
-User experience is much better than F30. It's both intuitive and easy to use. iDrive be dam*ed.
-Built quality is vastly improved-now BMW can now go neck and neck with Audi and Merc in terms of materials and workmanship.
-Safety gear like Lane Keeping Assist and Frontal Collision avoidance system are standard.

Cons
-Gigantic BMW grill taken off the new 7 series. Just terrible (look at the potato pic below).
-Pleather seats really feel cheap. Even cheaper than the F30's pleather seats. Why couldn't they get Mercedes MB-tex in here?
-Virtual Cockpit Pro looks pretty cheesy and looks half-baked. BMW has a lot of work to do here.
-While interior quality has improved vastly, there are still Mitsubishi-grade cheap plastics in many places
-HVAC controls are so small, I need glasses to see them
-Driver aids are set with the most sensitive settings from the factory. Make sure to tone it down when you get the car delivered

So, I'e been enjoying the car so far. I was really angry with BMW USA for my 328i GT issues (that's for another thread), but the dealership remedied that by giving me a 330i loaner. BMW has done enough homework on G20 to not only make it more tech-savvy, but stuck to the original formula to redesign the G20 3er. This car is so good that G20 3 series might proved to be a turning point for BMW. G20 330i is fast, quick, and athletic in a way E46 used to be. Only major gripe that I had was the overly sensitive lane keeping assist system. It was so aggressive it literally 'pushed' car back into the lane a few times. Make sure to set it a the 'minimal' sensitivity so you don't run over deep potholes. In conclusion, if you are shopping for a near-luxury European sedan, put BMW 330i on the list. If you keep your options down low, you will get a quintessential German sports sedan with all the modern tech, and I dare say...a class leader.

Great job BMW. G20 330i is a fantastic car. Now fix mine right!

To start off, this is decently equipped 330i with decent amount of options, not fully loaded (it's a loaner car).

The rear 3/4 view is the absolutely stunning. The license plate belongs to the dealer. Don't try to look it up.

I know this is a review of the 330, but I gotta say, the new M340i is a really compelling package, especially for those considering a C43/S4 class vehicle. Buyers are just now starting to post their reviews, and outside of some questionable design choices on the front of the car, this thing seems to really check all the boxes.

I know this is a review of the 330, but I gotta say, the new M340i is a really compelling package, especially for those considering a C43/S4 class vehicle. Buyers are just now starting to post their reviews, and outside of some questionable design choices on the front of the car, this thing seems to really check all the boxes.

This might be the first 'modern' BMW to catch my dollars...

I would totally splurge on a M340i. Like I said, the G20 is easily the class lead right now imho. I drove a M240i before I purchased a S3. BMW does really great straight six engines (naturally aspired and turbocharged). Just judging by the 330i's dynamics, the next gen M3 is gonna be absolutely epic.

It's better, but looks too Japanese to me, especially from the rear. The interior is on trend but I think it will look really dated in a few years, and there's way too much of that brushed nickel trim.

It's better, but looks too Japanese to me, especially from the rear. The interior is on trend but I think it will look really dated in a few years, and there's way too much of that brushed nickel trim.

I'm not too keen on G20's styling either. But man, its fun factor is through the roof.

The simple fact that you reference the E46 several times makes me very excited.

I'm doing BMW's Ultimate Driving Experience this saturday, I was already excited to drive the new 3er, now I'm like a child the night before Disney.

Along with the S3/RS3, a M340i is on the top of my list...I was just a little sticker shocked by the $63K figure when I spec'd one out. I'm hoping the lease deals will make sense in two years time. I'll try and make a thread on the UDE after saturday and my review of tossing this thing around....heres to hoping they have M340's available, but realistically expecting just the 330's.

Originally Posted by DzlDub

Cars are ****ing awesome, anyone who doesn't want a car is a communist.

Yep, it's a 2.0L turbo four banger. Another thing I forgot to mention was 330i's exhaust. It sounds sporty and that diesel clatter like sound found on F30 when idling, is gone.

See, this is my beef with this class of car. I drove a C300 and the engine and transmission are just rough for this class of car, not to mention the road noise. Yes, I understand that it's "entry level luxury", but the E46 managed to get this right. But if entry level luxury doesn't offer what it promises, what's the point of buying this over a Ford Fusion?

It's good to hear that the new 330 is a return to its roots. For the most part.

See, this is my beef with this class of car. I drove a C300 and the engine and transmission are just rough for this class of car, not to mention the road noise. Yes, I understand that it's "entry level luxury", but the E46 managed to get this right. But if entry level luxury doesn't offer what it promises, what's the point of buying this over a Ford Fusion?

It's good to hear that the new 330 is a return to its roots. For the most part.

Chris

Come on Crispy, if you really think you would rather have a ford fusion driving the two back to back then the idea of premium vehicles is simply lost on you (which I know it isn't).

I will say however, the entry level 3/C/A4 have really become base spec models. There used to not be a huge disparity between say a 325i and 330i but now the difference between the loaner Uber got and even a better spec'd 330i (let alone the m340i) has become quite large. Spec napa leather and some other goodies and most of Uber's complaints are likely gone.

Originally Posted by DzlDub

Cars are ****ing awesome, anyone who doesn't want a car is a communist.

-Driver aids are set with the most sensitive settings from the factory. Make sure to tone it down when you get the car delivered

Definitely agree here. I went to cross a line by a foot or so to give more room to a pedestrian, and because my blinker wasn't on, the thing fought me hard. Supposedly if you steer hard enough it will turn off, but to me it felt like the force to overcome it would've sent me full into the oncoming lane. I know there's a softer setting which we have on my father's G30 and that works great.

Originally Posted by Uber Wagon

-Handling has much improved over F30. It's precise and immediate. Reminds me a lot of E90...even E46

I probably disagree here..to me G20 feels like an improvement on the F30 crossed with the stoics of a 5er. Better than the last gen for sure, but if I was set on an E90 it wouldn't do the trick. Does your loaner have M-sport or track handling maybe? I really want to get in an M340i though at some point, that might do the trick.

Come on Crispy, if you really think you would rather have a ford fusion driving the two back to back then the idea of premium vehicles is simply lost on you (which I know it isn't).

I will say however, the entry level 3/C/A4 have really become base spec models. There used to not be a huge disparity between say a 325i and 330i but now the difference between the loaner Uber got and even a better spec'd 330i (let alone the m340i) has become quite large. Spec napa leather and some other goodies and most of Uber's complaints are likely gone.

I know it sounds silly, but for the money, I'd rather drive a Fusion sport than a C300 for a daily. Yes, I know its not the point of this thread, but you really have to spec them out to get them so they actually feel premium. I guess what I'm saying is that the base models for this class don't really make sense. By the time you add the Napa, technology and lighting package (which the Ford would have in the same price as the base mode 3/C/A4) you're around $50k. Which honestly, I'd be more inclined to buy because I want the things I touch to feel expensive if I'm spending good money.

See, this is my beef with this class of car. I drove a C300 and the engine and transmission are just rough for this class of car, not to mention the road noise. Yes, I understand that it's "entry level luxury", but the E46 managed to get this right. But if entry level luxury doesn't offer what it promises, what's the point of buying this over a Ford Fusion?

It's good to hear that the new 330 is a return to its roots. For the most part.

Chris

Originally Posted by GLI Dan

Come on Crispy, if you really think you would rather have a ford fusion driving the two back to back then the idea of premium vehicles is simply lost on you (which I know it isn't).

I will say however, the entry level 3/C/A4 have really become base spec models. There used to not be a huge disparity between say a 325i and 330i but now the difference between the loaner Uber got and even a better spec'd 330i (let alone the m340i) has become quite large. Spec napa leather and some other goodies and most of Uber's complaints are likely gone.

I'm with Crispy. I am not interested in paying $40k+ for a small German car with few features and a 2.0T that is basically a commodity product. If I was going to do that I'd pay $30k for a Jetta/GLI. And then you go 6cyl and with a few options you're well over $50k. Just isn't a good value proposition, unless you're leasing.

Originally Posted by Volkl

My wife wanted a SUV with a manual transmission. I suggested a Wrangler, she said no way, too masculine

Definitely agree here. I went to cross a line by a foot or so to give more room to a pedestrian, and because my blinker wasn't on, the thing fought me hard. Supposedly if you steer hard enough it will turn off, but to me it felt like the force to overcome it would've sent me full into the oncoming lane. I know there's a softer setting which we have on my father's G30 and that works great.

This is another reason I went with S3 over S4. Lane keeping assist is good feature to have, but you need to find one that works best for you. For my mom, Toyota's lane keeping assist is perfect as it 'nudges' you gently if you cross over the lane. On my S3, I have blind spot detection (but not assistance), and forward collision braking which benefits my driving styling. Lane keeping assist is not even an options list for S3 and I like that very much. I need a lot of help avoiding collision, not driving drunk. So S3's packaging works for me. I think 3er's aggressive lane keeping assist would've caused my 75 year old mom to have an accident. But she's more a Lexus shopper than a 3er...so there's that.

Originally Posted by ghost03

I probably disagree here..to me G20 feels like an improvement on the F30 crossed with the stoics of a 5er. Better than the last gen for sure, but if I was set on an E90 it wouldn't do the trick. Does your loaner have M-sport or track handling maybe? I really want to get in an M340i though at some point, that might do the trick.

I agree. G20's steering has improved vastly over F30. The loaner car that I've been driving is a base model with Virtual cockpit and no other options. I can imagine what an M-Sport package on G20 would be like. I have M Sport package on my F30, and it doesn't do much other than purely cosmetic improvement.

At any rate, G20's handling is vastly better, but like I mentioned, it's between E90 and E46. It's still tough to beat E46...it's not there yet.

I know it sounds silly, but for the money, I'd rather drive a Fusion sport than a C300 for a daily. Yes, I know its not the point of this thread, but you really have to spec them out to get them so they actually feel premium. I guess what I'm saying is that the base models for this class don't really make sense. By the time you add the Napa, technology and lighting package (which the Ford would have in the same price as the base mode 3/C/A4) you're around $50k. Which honestly, I'd be more inclined to buy because I want the things I touch to feel expensive if I'm spending good money.

Chris

That's perfectly fine. Fusion sport is a fine car-it has tons more power and AWD to boot than the C300. Its styling even verges on a 'premium' segment. You just don't get called "sir" by your service advisor since it's got a blue oval on the hood. To get C300 to be spec'd out like Fusion sport, you'd be looking at C43 e-Matic. And "C" doesn't stand for "Cheap" if you catch my drift. It all depends on where your priorities lie I suppose.

BMW has always been about performance. This company knows how to build sports sedans, not luxury sedans. Mercedes S-class almost outsells 7 series 10-to-1 ratio. But 3 series is the best seller for BMW. F30 got bigger, softer, and more tech-oriented but it lost its ways since the days of E32. This new iteration of 3 series will undoubtly will put BMW back on top with much improved handling, communicative steering, and immediacy that's not found in modern BMWs. Is it a revival at BMW? I don't think so. They've always built good cars in my opinion, but the new G20 somehow got it better than F30. That's the point.

I just leased a car that reminded me the most the glory days of E32: An Audi S3. Funny how that works, but to each is own.